Ohio State to Offer High-Field Equine MRI

Dr. Matt Brokken reviews MRI images captured using a unit similar to the one that will be available for use at The Ohio State University.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

In a statement on its website the Galbreath Equine Center at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has announced that a mobile, high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit will be available at the Veterinary Medical Center at least once monthly.

"The use of MRI is revolutionizing how we treat horses with lameness," Matthew Brokken, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, clinical assistant professor in the university's Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, said in the statement. "In most cases, it allows us to determine a specific diagnosis leading to more targeted therapy."

The high-field, 1.5 tesla MRI will be provided by MREquine and will be available for referrals from outside practitioners as well as VMC patients. The high-field MRI can provide a high resolution image of bone and soft tissue, primarily from a horse's hoof to the knee or hock.

General anesthesia is required for the MRI procedure, the statement said. "Horses will be brought in the day before the procedure to allow time to pull shoes, take radiographs of the feet, and check the horses' packed cell volume and total protein," the statement added.

About the Author

Erica Larson, news editor, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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